Acute normovolemic hemodilution does not reduce antithrombin concentration for cardiac surgery

Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is used to reduce allogeneic blood transfusion with cardiac surgery. This procedure involves pre-operatively removing and storing a volume of whole blood and replacing the volume with crystalloid. The stored blood is then available for transfusion, if required. Hemodilution associated with ANH may reduce the effectiveness of heparin anticoagulation due to dilution of antithrombin. The aim of this study was to determine if antithrombin concentrations are reduced in patients who undergo one unit of ANH during cardiac surgery